James, I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, although so many of our comrades must have been blown to smithereens in the German artillery defensive barrage when the Battle of the Somme opened on a 25 mile front.  As a former soldier in the 1st and 7th Royal Warwicks myself, doing my National Service in 1950-1951 mainly in the Suez Canal Zone with the Royal Lincolns, although sad to read of your sacrifice, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave young soldier who lost his life in the service of his country during the first day of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st of July 1916. 433 of our comrades in the Warwicks also perished on this day and 304 of them were commemorated with you on the Thiepval Memorial. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save”. In addition to your commemoration at Thiepval I trust that you were also commemorated on your home town war memorial. You are all also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded.  I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives and friends who mourned your sacrifice.  Rest in Peace.  Harry.  

Henry Harrison